Tom, Thanks for posting this. It takes guts to post a video of yourself screwing up. Ignore all the trolls and their malicious comments. I think a lot of people forget (or lie) about all the mistakes they made when starting out. If everyone in the world had a bit more humility I’m sure there would be a lot fewer problems.
@@Tanapseudes I did a similar kitemare when I inverted the two power lines (or something like that), and the kite went looping down the beach. Luckily there were no other people nearby, except for my brother who got some bruises when he stopped it for me.
@@Tanapseudes really appreciate you putting up the video. In hindsight things may look obvious but lots of mistakes are easy to make. Seeing this video has helped remind me when setting up to take a minute to think about what may go wrong.
Dont have anything hindering the lines when self launching (like the second kite in the middle of your lines), and dont pull on the lines when walking up to the bar. You pulled the steering line and the kite looped.
that looks as a major problem here. launching the kite by knowing in advance that your lines are screwed. and then pulling the steering line was like... i'm too bored and i want to have some fun by launching that kite just now... wonder why everybody else is talking about everything else but this. odd. but yeah in these conditions. even if you are "confident" it's better to ask somebody to assist as wind is strong enough to end up very badly if something goes out of control all of sudden
Wrong. You absolutely have to control the kite as you walk to the bar, because lulls and gusts could cause it to self launch prematurely. You hold it by the upper front line as you walk to the bar.
I've been kiting since 2000 and I avoid by all means self launching if possible. The only time I self launch if there is a well anchored post and I'll meticously check the lines and the position of the kite where kite lines are 90 degrees to the wind direction. Have a second safety leash with you and put it on the post so that you easily can switch to the safety leached attached to your harness. Never criss cross your lines with anything on the beach and secure sufficient space if anything goes south. This being said I am kiting now in Dakhla and for whatever reason the locals would like to teach you self launching although they can just help you launch. First time ever this happens to me usually you ask someone it takes less then a minute and you are ready to go. I am sometimes really surprised on how ungenerous people are with lending a helping hand at the kite beach.
If I understand correct, he pulled a control line (when tried to pick it under white kite). And his kite started to moving. In general, those kites are stable in the edge of wind window until you don't touch a control lines
This is posted for teaching and reminder for me of how hot a launch can become when it goes bad. Give advice but don't slander me. I am learning too. My experienced friend was not there when I was setting up to launch it for me.
Tom Hansknecht Thanks for posting this. People shit talking should shut up and learn from this, you always think you know everything until something goes wrong and if you spend enough time kiting something will go wrong at some point, and it happens extremely quickly when it does. When people are brave enough to share videos like this shut up and learn from it. I'm sure the poster learned some very valuable lessons from this that those that haven't been in a situation like this haven't.
Now I just picked up a Slingshot Z 11 meter for days like these. Gusting onshore winds with oversize kites for the wind conditions is a big problem here, as well as any obstructions on beach, including the Wainman Boss with leaking strut. Lots of other lessons also.
I do not think that the problem here is caused by a loose anchor, @0.40 a steering line is held. This puts the line under tension and the kite goes into a loop. This looping would have pulled out any sand anchor... I do agree however that a sand anchor should not have been used here.. Thanks for posting & hang loose :)
No I don't think that this is the lesson to take from here. You need to clear obstructions when self launching and also really check your bar/lines before letting it "rest" on the ground and hooking in.
we all f... up a launch at some point, i call it learning and experience. After finishing my lessons i never had issues with assisted launching and self launching however one day i f.. up with an assisted launch and got dragged a bit, luckily nothing to sorry but a good reminder on keeping an eye on everything that could go wrong. Brave from your part to post not only the good stuff but also the bad.
It is still safe and effective to sand down the wing tip to self launch. I guess I remember when that became un cool. I'm not sure the conditions this day were favorable for a self launch of any type. Looks like it was a little gusty. Drift launches, as other commenter suggest present their own problems especially for on-shore winds. So I guess my suggestion is to sand that tip...but don't ignore the base either. ;
Thanks for putting this video up. Of course I have to give my two cents -- narrow beach, gusty wind, and you lines adjacent to another kite = disaster waiting to happen. Lesson learned.
I agree that conditions in this video aren't ideal for a tethered launch. There is a small amount of beach with an onshore wind and I bet you felt nervous with your setup as well. Don't be afraid to ask other kiters to launch you, they won't mind and can actually get more annoyed if you don't ask them. When the kite started to fly upwards the appropriate response was to do put your hand on the lower inner line, but really, do nothing. I believe the kite was ready to settle down again. If it keeps flying up, pull on that middle line and this will make the kite dump any power and will give you control over the kite. Since you were untangling one of the outside lines, you instinctively pulled on that line to control the kite. This made the kite down-loop and fly deep into the wind window. Many accidents can be avoided by taking a second to plan the correct reaction rather than panicking and taking the wrong action. Next time take a breath and assess the situation. Hope this helps and don't listen to haters :)
Great advice. Thank you. I should have got another kiter to launch me. I knew them but they traveled some distance and I did not want to disturb their session. When I got the kite back, I deflated it and checked it over. The day ended nice and I got to kite with my friend's 12 meter.
Looks like NON 14m Rally winds as well. Sure sounds and looks more than 20mph. I'm guessing a 14m Rally tops out around 22 or so and REALLY tops out at 25 even in an experienced kiters hands
The safest way to self launch a kite is in the water, connect you to the bar, take the kite to the water, drop it in the water, let it go downwind, then relaunch. And if there is people to help, don't self launch, teach somebody to help you. If you try that technic showed in the video, make sure the bar, lines and kite don't touch anything, grass, branches, obstacles...
So we can understand the force here. That was a long Mobile home anchor. The kite lines cut into the dune and that and my friend saved my kite. If this happened when I attached kite bar loop to me, would have been hot launch hell.
I must admit that with narrow beach and on shore wind, the anchor self launch is not as safe as described by some ! If the water is not so deep on the shore, I personally prefer to not hook me, just attach the safety line, grab the front line by the chicken loop, move upwind slowly while increasing the front lines tension, possibly partly in the water, let turn the kite in the side of the wind window and release a bit the tension in the front line by making a step forward, move back just in the wind window, hook me, grab the bar and launch safely! If something happens during the first phase (wind drop, big gust or direction change), I will have just to open my hand and let go the kite , just attached to the safety line or adjust my tension or my angle !😎
I do another technic to self launch the kite. I pass the lines from the trailing edge and then I drag one of the front lines so the kite enters the wind window
I wanted to self launch during a 35+knts wind last week. Sea was so high, I only had half a line length of beach. Because of gusts it was to hard to get it in the air. It also just dropped straight down when I let go of the bar. So after many tries I flagged out and packed everything. Does anybody have good video of how to launch in really unstable, gusty winds? I know one shouldn`t take too many risks. but being able to handle this will help as well in case coming in when a storm hits.
I know im like 3 years late, its too gusty for an achored self launch. U can see at 0:08 the canopy isnt flapping and the kite is in the correct position but at 0:10 the canopy is flapping like a mad man. Also that waynmann aswell bad idea. IF u were to do a self launch in conditions like this id recommend a drag launch instead
Setting your lines over another kite aside, you need to maintain control of the kite at all times. The best method is to grab the upper front line and apply a bit of tension there. The bottom steering line can work, but its not as reliable. The upper front line will hold the kite down better.
Use a proper sand anchor... wind was too onshore for a proper anchor to work on such a narrow beach. it was always going against the bank... as the man said get someone to launch you before you go off with the kite next time and maybe no so happy ending
I agree, everyone makes mistakes and no need to talk crap. I did have a kitemare last week. I used a sand anchor for self launch. Never again, that thing did not hold and my kite got dragged. I will only connect to solid objects or get a buddy to launch me.
Kiting is very unforgiving. Once you make a mistake ~ It's better to learn and get good rather than become the idiot. I'm in my 5th year or so and had only 2 go outs this year which is miserable. But NO BIG MISTAKES ! Kiting is very lonely when you are all by yourself. Best to have a couple friends who know their stuff. Launching a kite OVER another kite !?! never seen that mistake before. Never would do that ever. Not having the bar anchored !?! ASKING FOR TROUBLE ~
suprised you didnt do a drift launch? not the best situation there with such a narrow beach. Good for you posting this video up, we all make mistakes. Hope the kite wasnt too damaged?
With a drift launch, I worry about those lines get tangled around me. I have done it but don't think it is the safest launch. When the lines tighten, you know if they are straight. But what if they aren't. You have kite ready to launch and have to wind it in.
Stuff happens. It looks like there just wasn't enough air in the kite. I bet you that's part of the reason it drifted into the window so easily and started behaving erratically. Good learning experience. No one got hurt
coz hes an idiot like too many other kiters. realisticly the only way to selflaunch is to hook up and swim in the water and then do a selflaunch on the sand.
why would you self launch your kite with improper anchoring and aperently no regard of what is down wind? I am sorry, but this is just either lazyness or stupidity!
Tom, Thanks for posting this. It takes guts to post a video of yourself screwing up. Ignore all the trolls and their malicious comments. I think a lot of people forget (or lie) about all the mistakes they made when starting out. If everyone in the world had a bit more humility I’m sure there would be a lot fewer problems.
Thank you. It has not happened again.
Best comment ever. This is a sport where even advance riders Make mistake.
@@Tanapseudes I did a similar kitemare when I inverted the two power lines (or something like that), and the kite went looping down the beach. Luckily there were no other people nearby, except for my brother who got some bruises when he stopped it for me.
@@Tanapseudes really appreciate you putting up the video. In hindsight things may look obvious but lots of mistakes are easy to make. Seeing this video has helped remind me when setting up to take a minute to think about what may go wrong.
Thanks for sharing!!! More useful than a video with hundreds of perfectly landed tricks!!! We all should learn from our and others mistakes!!!
Thanks for sharing, always good to watch and get experience with this problems. Good winds for you!
Dont have anything hindering the lines when self launching (like the second kite in the middle of your lines), and dont pull on the lines when walking up to the bar. You pulled the steering line and the kite looped.
that looks as a major problem here. launching the kite by knowing in advance that your lines are screwed. and then pulling the steering line was like... i'm too bored and i want to have some fun by launching that kite just now... wonder why everybody else is talking about everything else but this. odd. but yeah in these conditions. even if you are "confident" it's better to ask somebody to assist as wind is strong enough to end up very badly if something goes out of control all of sudden
Wrong. You absolutely have to control the kite as you walk to the bar, because lulls and gusts could cause it to self launch prematurely. You hold it by the upper front line as you walk to the bar.
Whatever you do, you do not hold lines under tension as a) you injure yourself and b) you give uncontrollable steering input
I've been kiting since 2000 and I avoid by all means self launching if possible. The only time I self launch if there is a well anchored post and I'll meticously check the lines and the position of the kite where kite lines are 90 degrees to the wind direction. Have a second safety leash with you and put it on the post so that you easily can switch to the safety leached attached to your harness. Never criss cross your lines with anything on the beach and secure sufficient space if anything goes south. This being said I am kiting now in Dakhla and for whatever reason the locals would like to teach you self launching although they can just help you launch. First time ever this happens to me usually you ask someone it takes less then a minute and you are ready to go. I am sometimes really surprised on how ungenerous people are with lending a helping hand at the kite beach.
If I understand correct, he pulled a control line (when tried to pick it under white kite). And his kite started to moving. In general, those kites are stable in the edge of wind window until you don't touch a control lines
That’s all theory, until a gust hits
What Tobias wrote. Gusts make you`re kite move back and forth. If shit is in the way, it will turn or flip over, invert or whatever. Not so much fun😊
This is posted for teaching and reminder for me of how hot a launch can become when it goes bad. Give advice but don't slander me. I am learning too. My experienced friend was not there when I was setting up to launch it for me.
Tom Hansknecht Thanks for posting this. People shit talking should shut up and learn from this, you always think you know everything until something goes wrong and if you spend enough time kiting something will go wrong at some point, and it happens extremely quickly when it does. When people are brave enough to share videos like this shut up and learn from it. I'm sure the poster learned some very valuable lessons from this that those that haven't been in a situation like this haven't.
Now I just picked up a Slingshot Z 11 meter for days like these. Gusting onshore winds with oversize kites for the wind conditions is a big problem here, as well as any obstructions on beach, including the Wainman Boss with leaking strut. Lots of other lessons also.
I do not think that the problem here is caused by a loose anchor, @0.40 a steering line is held. This puts the line under tension and the kite goes into a loop. This looping would have pulled out any sand anchor... I do agree however that a sand anchor should not have been used here.. Thanks for posting & hang loose :)
And thats why you ALWAYS go kitting with a mate (or close to other kiters)!
No I don't think that this is the lesson to take from here. You need to clear obstructions when self launching and also really check your bar/lines before letting it "rest" on the ground and hooking in.
we all f... up a launch at some point, i call it learning and experience. After finishing my lessons i never had issues with assisted launching and self launching however one day i f.. up with an assisted launch and got dragged a bit, luckily nothing to sorry but a good reminder on keeping an eye on everything that could go wrong. Brave from your part to post not only the good stuff but also the bad.
It is still safe and effective to sand down the wing tip to self launch. I guess I remember when that became un cool. I'm not sure the conditions this day were favorable for a self launch of any type. Looks like it was a little gusty. Drift launches, as other commenter suggest present their own problems especially for on-shore winds.
So I guess my suggestion is to sand that tip...but don't ignore the base either. ;
Thanks for putting this video up.
Of course I have to give my two cents -- narrow beach, gusty wind, and you lines adjacent to another kite = disaster waiting to happen.
Lesson learned.
Kiters look at kitemare label. We all learn from mistakes.
I agree that conditions in this video aren't ideal for a tethered launch. There is a small amount of beach with an onshore wind and I bet you felt nervous with your setup as well. Don't be afraid to ask other kiters to launch you, they won't mind and can actually get more annoyed if you don't ask them.
When the kite started to fly upwards the appropriate response was to do put your hand on the lower inner line, but really, do nothing. I believe the kite was ready to settle down again. If it keeps flying up, pull on that middle line and this will make the kite dump any power and will give you control over the kite. Since you were untangling one of the outside lines, you instinctively pulled on that line to control the kite. This made the kite down-loop and fly deep into the wind window.
Many accidents can be avoided by taking a second to plan the correct reaction rather than panicking and taking the wrong action. Next time take a breath and assess the situation. Hope this helps and don't listen to haters :)
Yes, I messed up and let lines cross that Wainman kite. I was supposed to use it but center strut was leaking. Won't do it again.
Not what I was saying. Number one lesson is to ask other kiters to launch you. Number two lesson is to not panic when things go wrong.
Great advice. Thank you. I should have got another kiter to launch me. I knew them but they traveled some distance and I did not want to disturb their session. When I got the kite back, I deflated it and checked it over. The day ended nice and I got to kite with my friend's 12 meter.
Glad you got a session in :)
Oh buddy. Been there done that. In my humble you can not tether launch in heavy wind. I know this from my experiences ( plural)
Looks like NON 14m Rally winds as well. Sure sounds and looks more than 20mph. I'm guessing a 14m Rally tops out around 22 or so and REALLY tops out at 25 even in an experienced kiters hands
The safest way to self launch a kite is in the water, connect you to the bar, take the kite to the water, drop it in the water, let it go downwind, then relaunch. And if there is people to help, don't self launch, teach somebody to help you. If you try that technic showed in the video, make sure the bar, lines and kite don't touch anything, grass, branches, obstacles...
I would rather use a stake because I don't like this free line in the water. One time it got wrapped around leg just before launch of 17 meter.
Thanks for the what not to do. We all can learn from it.
hi, bro, thanks for real time incident. its example for other!
So we can understand the force here. That was a long Mobile home anchor. The kite lines cut into the dune and that and my friend saved my kite. If this happened when I attached kite bar loop to me, would have been hot launch hell.
I must admit that with narrow beach and on shore wind, the anchor self launch is not as safe as described by some ! If the water is not so deep on the shore, I personally prefer to not hook me, just attach the safety line, grab the front line by the chicken loop, move upwind slowly while increasing the front lines tension, possibly partly in the water, let turn the kite in the side of the wind window and release a bit the tension in the front line by making a step forward, move back just in the wind window, hook me, grab the bar and launch safely!
If something happens during the first phase (wind drop, big gust or direction change), I will have just to open my hand and let go the kite , just attached to the safety line or adjust my tension or my angle !😎
I do another technic to self launch the kite. I pass the lines from the trailing edge and then I drag one of the front lines so the kite enters the wind window
I wanted to self launch during a 35+knts wind last week. Sea was so high, I only had half a line length of beach. Because of gusts it was to hard to get it in the air. It also just dropped straight down when I let go of the bar. So after many tries I flagged out and packed everything.
Does anybody have good video of how to launch in really unstable, gusty winds? I know one shouldn`t take too many risks. but being able to handle this will help as well in case coming in when a storm hits.
Don't do it unless you have a small kite. Maybe an 8 meter or smaller. Maybe you had turbulence also.
@@Tanapseudes 7m. have a 5 as well. Yeah lot of turbulence. Maybe I can place another anchor somewhere. That might just be it.
I know im like 3 years late, its too gusty for an achored self launch. U can see at 0:08 the canopy isnt flapping and the kite is in the correct position but at 0:10 the canopy is flapping like a mad man. Also that waynmann aswell bad idea.
IF u were to do a self launch in conditions like this id recommend a drag launch instead
Setting your lines over another kite aside, you need to maintain control of the kite at all times. The best method is to grab the upper front line and apply a bit of tension there. The bottom steering line can work, but its not as reliable. The upper front line will hold the kite down better.
Use a proper sand anchor... wind was too onshore for a proper anchor to work on such a narrow beach. it was always going against the bank... as the man said get someone to launch you before you go off with the kite next time and maybe no so happy ending
I think everything is very logical and reasonable here...
Yeah ghost launching is not ideal, better to drag the back line out to roll it on it's side.
I agree, everyone makes mistakes and no need to talk crap. I did have a kitemare last week. I used a sand anchor for self launch. Never again, that thing did not hold and my kite got dragged. I will only connect to solid objects or get a buddy to launch me.
I have bought one for Mobile home use and will only do this self launch at 15 mph or less. Good friends launch and land kites.
Should listen to your fellow kiter there. Allot safer to ask him. Why do a sketchi self launch when theres a guy right there?
I will be posting a video on a range of anchors I have tested ... just waiting for 30 knts winds to demo them
Will look at them.
Kiting is very unforgiving. Once you make a mistake ~ It's better to learn and get good rather than become the idiot. I'm in my 5th year or so and had only 2 go outs this year which is miserable. But NO BIG MISTAKES ! Kiting is very lonely when you are all by yourself. Best to have a couple friends who know their stuff. Launching a kite OVER another kite !?! never seen that mistake before. Never would do that ever. Not having the bar anchored !?! ASKING FOR TROUBLE ~
suprised you didnt do a drift launch? not the best situation there with such a narrow beach. Good for you posting this video up, we all make mistakes. Hope the kite wasnt too damaged?
With a drift launch, I worry about those lines get tangled around me. I have done it but don't think it is the safest launch. When the lines tighten, you know if they are straight. But what if they aren't. You have kite ready to launch and have to wind it in.
Nothing can happen to the kite if it is well tied to a tree/car/anything else heavy. You simply catch it yourself in case of any unclear situation.
I don’t understand why you tried to launch the kite on your own, while there was someone at the spot who could help you?🤔
Yep, I’m to scared to self launch like this
Kite anchor not deep enough? Where exactly did you put it, not in that soft sand dune sideways?
It was a Mobile home anchor. It was deep in the beach before the dune. Kite just jumped and launch went hot.
I have a 2016 11 meter Slingshot Z now, so won't ever try this again.
Never grab a bar in situation like that! You should grab any line and pull it like you life depends on it! It should depower the kite
All the gear and no idea .... kite lines set to near other kite . .. and loop not attached secure to rope and and a post or other ...
I would never risk my kite like this..
Stuff happens. It looks like there just wasn't enough air in the kite. I bet you that's part of the reason it drifted into the window so easily and started behaving erratically. Good learning experience. No one got hurt
Why didn't ya ask the dude that saved ya to lunch ya ?
Dumb on my part. The guy was there with his kiter girl friend. I didn't want to mess up their time on the water because they drove further than me.
Comment under video says bonehead move.
coz hes an idiot like too many other kiters. realisticly the only way to selflaunch is to hook up and swim in the water and then do a selflaunch on the sand.
why would you self launch your kite with improper anchoring and aperently no regard of what is down wind? I am sorry, but this is just either lazyness or stupidity!
"okaaaaay" 😀
Who the fuck launches a kite like that 😂
Not clever at all
Lol